Which five athletes, who demonstrated athletic excellence in 2008, should make up the All-SportsNation Team?
Sure, All-Pro or All-America selections are nice, but those are mere appetizers when compared to the honor of the All-SportsNation Team. Unlike a simple acknowledgment that an athlete is merely one of the best in his or her own sport, making the All-SportsNation roster means an athlete has what it takes to beat the very best from every sport.
So what are the criteria for such an awesome honor? Well, that’s entirely up to you. You’ve got to match up a hot dog-eating champion against the world’s fastest man, a bowling champ with a gold medal-winning gymnast, among others. It’s up to you to consider what truly matters.
It’s your team, so you decide which five athletes meet the criteria you establish as the very best of 2008.
Please select FIVE members for the 2008 All-SportsNation Team:
Chris Barnes: Barnes ranked fifth in season earnings, won two titles and was named the PBA’s Player of the Year.
Michael Beasley: The freshman was named an AP first-team All-American and the Big 12 Player of the Year. He was drafted second overall by the Miami Heat in the 2008 NBA draft.
Usain Bolt: The World’s Fastest Man won three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, finishing first in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters. Bolt set world records in both the 100 and 200, despite slowing down to celebrate during his 100 meter triumph.
Sam Bradford: Bradford led the Oklahoma Sooners to the Big 12 title and a spot in the BCS Championship Game. Along the way he won the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s best college quarterback, as well as the Heisman Trophy, among other awards.
Drew Brees: The Saints quarterback enjoyed a tremendous year, passing for more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, while maintaining a quarterback rating over 90. Brees was named to the Pro Bowl and is an MVP candidate.
Kobe Bryant: The Lakers guard won his first league MVP award and led Los Angeles to the NBA Finals. Bryant was named to the All-NBA First Team and the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team. He also helped lead Team USA to Olympic gold in Beijing.
Joey Chestnut: It was another fine year for Jaws, who won Wing Bowl XVI, the World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship and the 2008 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, successfully defending his title in a five hot dog eat-off against the legendary Takeru Kobayashi.
Kerry Collins: The veteran took over the starting quarterback duties from Vince Young and led the Titans to the AFC South title, as well as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Stephen Curry: The sophomore led the Southern conference in scoring and was named the conference’s tournament MVP. He was selected to the AP’s All-America second team and was instrumental in Davidson’s run to the Elite Eight.
Kevin Garnett: After a 14-year wait, Garnett won his first NBA title as a member of the Celtics. He made his eleventh NBA All-Star team (as the leading vote-getter), was named to the All-NBA First Team and captured the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Josh Hamilton: Hamilton’s stellar season was perhaps the best story of 2008. After overcoming his addictions to drugs and alcohol, Hamilton put up big numbers for the Texas Rangers, hitting 32 home runs, compiling 130 RBIs and batting .304. He was named to the AL All-Star team and put on quite a show in the Home Run Derby, hitting a record 28 home runs in the first round.
Graham Harrell: The Heisman candidate, and winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, led Texas Tech to an 11-1 record and the biggest win in the program’s history, a classic 39-33 victory against then No. 1 Texas.
Albert Haynesworth: Haynesworth was instrumental in the Titans’ defensive success this season, recording 8.5 sacks, 51 tackles, and three forced fumbles. He was named to his second-straight Pro Bowl and has garnered MVP consideration.
LeBron James: The Cavaliers forward enjoyed another great season. He was named the MVP of the 2008 NBA All-Star game, was an All-NBA First Team selection and won the league’s scoring title, averaging 30.0 points per game. James also helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in Beijing.
Jimmie Johnson: Johnson won two races during the 2008 regular season, but then really turned it up once the 2008 Chase began. He won three Chase events to claim his third consecutive championship.
Tim Lincecum: The 2008 NL Cy Young winner and All-Star went 18-5 with a 2.68 ERA on a Giants team that went 72-90 on the year.
Nastia Liukin: Liukin took home five medals at the 2008 Beijing games, including the gold in the Individual All-Around and helped Team USA win silver in the team competition.
Evan Longoria: The 2008 AL Rookie of the Year was also voted to the All-Star roster. Longoria hit 27 home runs, had 85 RBIs and batted .272 all while helping the Rays make their first World Series.
Colt McCoy: The Heisman runner-up had a fine 2008 season; he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and won the Walter Camp Award, honoring the nation’s top college football player as voted by coaches and sports information directors. McCoy led Texas to an 11-1 record, good enough for an invitation to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Rafael Nadal: Nadal won two Grand Slam titles in 2008 (Wimbledon and the French Open) as well as an Olympic gold medal in men’s singles in Beijing. Nadal’s most memorable performance came at Wimbledon against old foe Roger Federer. In the longest championship match in Wimbledon history, a match that was almost called off due to darkness, Nadal won a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 classic. He finished the year as the world’s No. 1 ranked player.
Lorena Ochoa: Ochoa won seven LPGA tournaments in 2008, including the Kraft Nabisco Championship. For the third consecutive year she topped the money earners list and won the LPGA Player of the Year Award.
Manny Pacquiao: Pac-Man started off the year by beating Juan Manuel Marquez in a split decision to earn the WBC super featherweight title. He followed that win up with a 9th round TKO of David Diaz to win the WBC lightweight title. Pacquiao then capped off his year by moving up in weight and beating Oscar De La Hoya with an 8th round TKO.
Candace Parker: It was an incredible year for Parker, who led the Lady Vols to a second consecutive NCAA title — winning the Naismith and Wooden awards — and then she was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. In her first season as a pro, Parker won the Rookie of the Year award and was named the WNBA’s MVP. She also added an Olympic gold medal to her resume as part of the U.S. women’s national team in Beijing.
Chris Paul: Arguably the NBA’s best point guard, Paul put up big numbers in 2008. He led the league in assists and steals, was named to the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive Team, was a serious MVP candidate and helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal in Beijing.
Dustin Pedroia: Boston’s second baseman hit .326 with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He was named an AL All-Star, won Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove awards at second base and was named the AL MVP.
Michael Phelps: The 23-year-old broke Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals won at a single Olympic Games by taking home eight golds in Beijing. He was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year and won the World Swimmer of the Year award.
Adrian Peterson: Peterson continued to impress in his second season in the NFL. He leads the league in rushing, surpassing the 1,600 yard mark and scoring nine touchdowns. He was named a Pro Bowl starter and is in the running for the NFL MVP.
Albert Pujols: The 2008 NL MVP had another terrific season batting .357, hitting 37 home runs and driving in 116 runs. Pujols was also named to his seventh All-Star game.
Manny Ramirez: A trade to Los Angeles reinvigorated Ramirez in 2008. In 53 games with the Dodgers he hit 17 home runs, collected 53 RBIs, batted .396 and led L.A. to a playoff berth. He finished fourth in NL MVP voting, despite his late arrival to the league.
Tony Romo: Romo makes the list for a variety of reasons. Not only did he enjoy another fine statistical season, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns (despite missing three games due to injury), he also accomplished a number of good deeds off the field. These good deeds included helping a couple change a tire on the side of a road and inviting a homeless man to watch a movie with him.
Derrick Rose: The freshman led the Memphis Tigers to the 2008 Conference USA title, and the NCAA tournament final. He was named to the to the All-Conference USA first team. Rose was then made the first overall pick at the 2008 NBA draft.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo established himself as the best soccer player in the world, leading Manchester United to the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League title. He scored more than 40 goals combined in all competitions and won the Ballon d’Or, given to the European Footballer of the Year.
CC Sabathia: After being traded to Milwaukee, Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, carrying the Brewers into the playoffs. He finished sixth in NL MVP voting.
Tim Tebow: Tebow, a Heisman finalist, won the 2008 Maxwell Award while leading Florida to the SEC title and a spot in the BCS Championship Game. He was named the SEC title game’s MVP and won the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year award.
Michael Turner: Stepping out of the shadow of LT in San Diego, Turner ran wild as a member of the Falcons this season, rushing for over 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was named to his first Pro Bowl.
Kurt Warner: The Cardinals quarterback experienced a renaissance in 2008. He was named a Pro Bowl starter and has garnered serious NFL MVP consideration, leading the Cardinals to their first division title since 1975.
Tiger Woods: Although Woods’ year was cut short due to injury, his heroics at the 2008 U.S. Open were unforgettable. Along with winning the U.S. Open, Woods won three other tournaments in ’08 and was second among money leaders despite playing his final round of the year in mid-June.
